The Community Adaptation Program is an immersive collaboration with local community nonprofits. Together, we create innovative enhancements that extend the nonprofit’s community reach and fortify its ability to continue providing essential services during times of local disasters.
With each local partner, we craft purposeful enhancements to boost their capacity, capability and continuity to provide vital services like health and mental health support, nutritious food and secure housing for underserved local families.
Partners lead the enhancement design process, leveraging their expertise and local knowledge.
We provide support, resources and expertise to ensure the partner’s vision guides the enhancement. We work together to create effective solutions that address community challenges and are sustainable.
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Video: One of our organization’s new initiatives — the Community Adaptation Program — is focused on strengthening local partner networks in communities with chronic disaster risks and socioeconomic issues.
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As part of the worsening climate crisis, disasters are becoming more frequent and intense. In the last 10 years, over 8.5 million people were forced from their homes by extreme weather in the United States and the number of billion-dollar disasters has increased by 70%.
The climate crisis is disproportionately affecting lower-income families, older adults, diverse communities and people with disabilities.
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Born and raised in Tulare County, California, Margarita Moreno brings deep local roots, a strong commitment to equity, and over a decade of experience in education and community development to her role as Community Disaster Risk Reduction Manager. Her work centers on building community resilience—mobilizing local knowledge, relationships, and leadership to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
Shaped by personal experience and her family’s migrant background, Margarita leads with heart and purpose. As a child, she was displaced from her home when freezing temperatures caused pipes to burst and flood the house. That experience instilled in her a lifelong belief in the power of investing in the care, capacity, and leadership already present in communities.
This belief continues to guide her work today—ensuring communities are supported, resourced, and trusted to lead their own resilience.
Maria Stevens serves as the Community Adaptation Program Community Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator supporting Tulare County. She joined the American Red Cross in 2023 as the Community Disaster Program Manager for Tulare County, where she played a key role during the 2023 floods.
With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Maria previously served as Program Manager at Champions Recovery Alternative Programs’ Samuel’s House, where she helped develop and grow two co-occurring treatment residential facilities licensed by the Department of Health Care Services. She also worked alongside Kings County Human Services as a Housing Navigator, providing advocacy, case management, and outreach to the region’s most at-risk populations.
Maria is passionate about helping others and connecting communities with the resources they need. She thrives in environments where empathy and service are at the forefront.
Rebekah Jones is a seasoned professional in community relations, public information, and public service, and is proud to serve as a member of the Tulare County Community Adaptation Program team. Prior to joining the American Red Cross, she was the Community Relations and Ruiz 4 Kids Manager at Ruiz Foods Inc., where she oversaw community sponsorships, scholarship programs, and grant initiatives.
From 2016 to 2022, Rebekah served the City of Visalia, managing the Visalia Police Department’s volunteer program, community events, crime prevention efforts, and digital communications. Her commitment to service began with AmeriCorps, where she mentored at-risk youth in San Diego, California.
Rebekah holds dual undergraduate degrees in Communication and Theater Arts from the University of California, San Diego. She also earned a Digital Storytelling certificate from Harvard Extension and is pursuing a Master’s in Journalism. A lifelong resident of Tulare County, she is deeply committed to serving the community she calls home.
